As part of build-ups for the Edo state off-cycle governorship elections, on September 21st, 2024, key stakeholders have mulled over the strategies and preparations for a credible, free and fair electoral process. They have identified factors to influence participation and how the media can play fairly and accurately in the activities.

A cross section of participants

The stakeholders, comprising the representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, convened at the interface on credible governorship election in Edo State organised by the International Press Centre under Component 4: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGNII) project.

In their open deliberation, the security agencies present at the interface reeled out the level of their preparedness for the electoral process and their actions to ensure the safety of the citizens, while the Independent National Electoral Commission also stated its commitment to conducting a transparent election, the media representatives also expressed their challenges and possible solutions for smooth operation in the electioneering process.

Participants 

Setting the ball rolling, Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, explained that the interface was an opportunity for the stakeholders to intimate one another on the state of their preparedness for the polls so that such information could be subjected to scrutiny to the people.

He further explained that such a gathering is an avenue to hold all stakeholders accountable for their duties after the election. He also referred to the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, which mandates that the electoral process must be conducted in a conducive environment for citizens and other frontliners.

“While our loyalty must be to the constitution and the citizens, it is the public interest that should constitute our guiding principle and not any other interest. I should at this point let the representatives of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police for Edo State know that INEC and the Police are among the institutions that the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage expects to ensure a conducive environment for the media and journalists to carry out their duties during electoral processes.

“I am hopeful that this interface will enable us to ask relevant questions on the above obligations and any other concerns you as stakeholders may have on how we can develop collaborative initiatives for a free and fair governorship poll”.

In her address, the Public Affairs Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Edo state, Mrs Toyin Olayiwola identified some of the activities of the electoral bodies since the beginning of the process, which included the Continous Voters Registration, and voter education activities and media engagements to inform the citizens on the steps towards a credible poll.

Mrs Olayiwola also stated the challenges of false information the commission is grappling with, as it tends to mar the electoral process in the state, due to this she urged the media to verify the accuracy of information about the election from the accurate source before making it public. She also encourages the media to work in unity with the commission to further educate the people on the essence electioneering process and their participation.

Reacting to questions about the readiness of the commission to conduct the election, Mrs Olayiwola assured the election would be credible, pleading with the security agencies to make the process safe for the people as security plays a key role in the election. She appealed to all stakeholders to follow the due process as slated by the Electoral Act 2022.

Responding to the security question and preparedness, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo state command Chris Nwabuzor stated that the police has already mapped out the operation order that will provide the needed information to carry out its activities during the election.

He further stated that the force has gathered intelligence on the volatile areas with a tendency of criminality during the elections and has informed the central command to reinforce their operation. He explained that the action is to ensure safety during the election and achieve collective participation.

In response to questions about collaboration with other stakeholders and the media on election day, Mr Nwabuzor reiterated that there is a collaboration with the INEC, the lead body for the electioneering process, as well as other sister security agencies, the media, and other civil society organisations, to form a synergy during the election.

Speaking about electoral offenders and cases of vote buying on election day, retribution, the police spokesperson stated that while the police and other security agencies can make arrests on any reported cases of offence, it is the responsibility of the electoral umpire to take the lead in prosecuting the suspects.

Also speaking to its preparedness to achieve a credible election, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Efosa Ogbebor, corroborated the position of the police with their readiness for the election.

“We assure you that NSCDC, as a paramilitary organisation, is fully prepared for the election to secure voter observers and electoral materials to be used. We would make sure that hoodlums do not have a free day, and we would also make sure that all of the activities of that day, September 21st, 2024, will make sure all our men are on the ground to make sure there is no breakdown of the law and order to make sure the election is free, fair and credible.

While responding to the allegation of aiding and abetting criminality by the operatives of the NSCDC during the election, Mr Efosa insisted that the corps is always on its toes to punish any of its officers found culpable of such allegations.

Speaking on behalf of the media, the Edo state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr Festus Alenkha, acknowledged the need for journalists to work together with other relevant stakeholders during the electioneering periods, adding that the media must be neutral and fair in its reporting to avoid violence and the proliferation of false information.

The NUJ chairman further urged the electoral commission to prioritise the media in the planning because the media plays a major role in educating and sensitising the members of the public for participation, adding that failure to do this can lead to voter apathy in the state.

He also urged media practitioners to be professional and ethical in their conduct, emphasising that they should prioritise the people’s interests over their own in their reporting.

Also speaking for the media, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State, Ms. Adesua Ehimuan, reflected on the progress made in the preparations for the election, and the critical role they must continue to play as journalists and media professionals.

She emphasised that the collective objective of the interface is “to ensure that every relevant stakeholder performs their duties with the highest sense of responsibility, thereby guaranteeing that the elections are inclusive, free, fair, and devoid of the toxicity of disinformation and misinformation. Our role is pivotal in shaping the narrative and ensuring that the public receives truthful, balanced, and comprehensive coverage of the electoral process.

“Let us seize this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to democracy, uphold the highest standards of journalism, and contribute to the success of the Edo State Governorship elections”.

Reacting to the submissions made, Mr Dada Ayokhai, the General Secretary of the Online Media Practitioners, urged the INEC and the security agencies to also work with online journalists, as the online reporters are at the flow of influx of information in this digital age.